Official Obituary of
Dr. Carmelito "Lito" Miralles Caronongan
April 16, 1940 ~ May 21, 2025 (age 85) 85 Years Old
Dr. Caronongan Obituary
Carmelito Caronongan Obituary Dr. Carmelito "Lito" Miralles Caronongan passed away on May 21, 2025 at the age of 85. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and physician. Lito was born on April 16, 1940 in Ibajay, Aklan, Philippines, the eldest of nine children to Teodoro Malicdem and Adelina Miralles Caronongan.
Lito attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, graduating on November 6, 1965, with a Doctorate in Medicine. He began his medical career at Dole Hospital in the Philippines, where he met the love of his life, Herminia "Hermie" Aguilar. They married on September 6, 1968, and were blessed with two sons and one daughter, Teodoro Brant (1969), Jose Brenden (1970), and Krystal Laurie (1985).
In 1975, Lito journeyed to the United States to pursue his goal of becoming a surgeon. Within a year of arriving in San Francisco, he passed the U.S. medical boards and began his medical career. In 1976, he brought his wife and sons to join him in the U.S., marking the start of a new chapter in their lives.
Lito's medical journey took him to cities across the country: from San Francisco, CA to Chicago and Cairo, IL to St. Louis, MO, New York, NY, and Waterbury, CT, where he trained and worked as a surgeon. In 1988, he became a general practitioner at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL until his retirement to Herrin, IL in August 2003.
Carmelito was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings Carmenia Vicente, Roque Caronongan, Teodoro Caronongan, Marciane Caronongan, and Salvacion Largardo. He is survived by his children: Brant (Ashli), Brenden (Bobbie), and Krystal Pol (Justin); and his cherished grandchildren: Alex (Kathryn), Corey, Justin, Garrett, Hannah, Adelina, Emeline, Haley, Drake, and Isabella.
Carmelito's life was a testament to hard work, perseverance, and deep familial love. Lito lived his life fully and unapologetically, as one of his favorite songs declares - he truly did it his way.
Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Caronongan family. A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Catholic Church in Herrin, Illinois. A Funeral Mass Service will be held at 11:00 am with Father Mark Reyling officiating. Interment to follow at San Carlo Cemetery, Herrin, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to OLMC Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available the day of the service at the church or my mail to Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home, 201 South 13th Street, Herrin, Illinois 62948.
Services
Visitation
Tuesday
May 27, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Funeral Mass
Tuesday
May 27, 2025
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Lito attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, graduating on November 6, 1965, with a Doctorate in Medicine. He began his medical career at Dole Hospital in the Philippines, where he met the love of his life, Herminia "Hermie" Aguilar. They married on September 6, 1968, and were blessed with two sons and one daughter, Teodoro Brant (1969), Jose Brenden (1970), and Krystal Laurie (1985).
In 1975, Lito journeyed to the United States to pursue his goal of becoming a surgeon. Within a year of arriving in San Francisco, he passed the U.S. medical boards and began his medical career. In 1976, he brought his wife and sons to join him in the U.S., marking the start of a new chapter in their lives.
Lito's medical journey took him to cities across the country: from San Francisco, CA to Chicago and Cairo, IL to St. Louis, MO, New York, NY, and Waterbury, CT, where he trained and worked as a surgeon. In 1988, he became a general practitioner at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL until his retirement to Herrin, IL in August 2003.
Carmelito was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings Carmenia Vicente, Roque Caronongan, Teodoro Caronongan, Marciane Caronongan, and Salvacion Largardo. He is survived by his children: Brant (Ashli), Brenden (Bobbie), and Krystal Pol (Justin); and his cherished grandchildren: Alex (Kathryn), Corey, Justin, Garrett, Hannah, Adelina, Emeline, Haley, Drake, and Isabella.
Carmelito's life was a testament to hard work, perseverance, and deep familial love. Lito lived his life fully and unapologetically, as one of his favorite songs declares - he truly did it his way.
Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Caronongan family. A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Catholic Church in Herrin, Illinois. A Funeral Mass Service will be held at 11:00 am with Father Mark Reyling officiating. Interment to follow at San Carlo Cemetery, Herrin, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to OLMC Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available the day of the service at the church or my mail to Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home, 201 South 13th Street, Herrin, Illinois 62948.
Services
Visitation
Tuesday
May 27, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Funeral Mass
Tuesday
May 27, 2025
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
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Services
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